Date:13/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/13/stories/2006071302250300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

PG students get a chance to improve their score

Staff Reporter

And get qualified for selection to lecturer posts in colleges

MADURAI : For those students who have secured less than 55 per cent in post-graduate degree examinations, the Madurai Kamaraj University has decided to give one more opportunity to `improve' their marks and get `qualified' to apply for lecturer posts in colleges.

The Syndicate meeting of the university held here on Monday approved the proposal, which would come into effect from the current academic year.

Candidates should get prior permission from the university to appear for improvement examination.

An important feature of this decision is that candidates can belong to any batch (year)/ any affiliated college and any stream — regular or distance learning.

"We wanted to boost the morale of students and enhance their career prospects. Since 55 per cent is the minimum expected marks in a PG degree normally, the university considered it favourably to help students," P.M. Ajmal Khan, Syndicate member, told The Hindu on Tuesday.

He said the Vice-Chancellor, P. Maruthamuthu, had received several requests from those who had finished their PG degrees but scored less than 55 per cent marks and also from a few teaching staff of colleges asking for a chance to improve their scores.

Dr. Ajmal Khan said many candidates could not apply for teaching posts in colleges as had missed 55 per cent narrowly.

"Such candidates will be benefited by the university decision. Procedures for appearing for improvement examinations can be had from the university officials," he said.

Those who are keen to write the PG papers again will have to pay an additional fee of Rs.2,000 besides examination and other fees.

Welcoming the MKU decision, G. Thiruvasagam, general secretary, Madurai Kamaraj University College Principals' Association, said the colleges would be able to find more eligible candidates for lectureship with this move and it also presented an opportunity for those who could not score the minimum eligible marks prescribed by the University Grants Commission.